Pop singer Michael Jackson is close to completing his charity single for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, his spokeswoman has said.

He is using global satellite and phone connections to work with the 12 participating artists from his base in the Middle East, added Raymone Bain.

"All that remains is for two or three artists to do their tracks," she said. "Michael will then add his vocals.

"He is now on the fast track and we're happy with the progress."

Mariah Carey, R Kelly, James Brown, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z are among the artists appearing on the track.

Rewritten

Lenny Kravitz, Wyclef Jean and Missy Elliott are also involved in the project.

Ms Bain said Jackson had rewritten the song several times and that it was no longer titled From the Bottom of My Heart.

Proceeds from the song, to be released sometime this month, will be directed towards the Bill Clinton-George Bush Katrina Fund, the Push-Excel Hurricane Katrina College Relief Fund, and a disaster fund set up by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Jackson has lived in Bahrain since his acquittal on child molestation charges in June.